Royal Ascot Day Four Tips: Our Friday Selections

The penultimate day of action at Royal Ascot 2024 is almost upon us, and what a week it's been so far! The classy sorts just keep coming on Day 4, Friday, and with the Commonwealth Cup a highlight we once again have you covered with through the card tips...

14:30 Ascot - Albany Stakes

This looks an Albany in which the cream will rise to the top and while I respect hugely the Pinatubo relation Mountain Breeze for Godolphin, William Buick and Charlie Appleby - particularly because of how good that horse was at two - I have to side with FAIRY GODMOTHER.

Her win last time out at Navan is the best piece of form on offer and with her pedigree predictably mouth-watering given her connections, there will be bundles of improvement to come. The second favourite has been a facile winner on both starts at Newmarket and one suspects we have not seen the limit of half her ability just yet, but I like the fact Fairy Godmother has been in a proper race and had to battle. That sort of experience is vital for two year olds at Royal Ascot and while there will be pace all over in here, I'll back her to come home strongest.

16:25 Ascot - Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes

Of course I'm very wary of favourite Ethical Diamond from Closutton with Ryan Moore booked - only a fool wouldn't be - but on pure form I think he is one we can take on with his price contracting all the time. Admittedly, he could well improve bundles for this step back up in trip and one suspects Mullins has had this race in mind for some time, but he is up against no mugs here and there's one I like to upset the jolly.

That horse is Sea The Stars colt SEA KING for Sir Mark Prescott, with Luke Morris booked to take the ride on a horse that we know performs best when fresh. He is yet to be seen since returning and winning in April and with his trainer one of the most patient men in the game, it seems likely that as soon as the horse won that day he was put away for this. HIs run style looks sure to suit and his stamina is without question, so if Morris can get him started alertly and track the pace I think he'll be in the mix and is worth each-way support.

17:05 Ascot - Sandringham Stakes

Favourite Indelible does have the lightly raced profile of one who could have just one handicapping start at Royal Ascot in her career before moving onto bigger and better things, but she is getting awfully short now and I can't get excited by the price.

My selection is not a much bigger price truth be told but her run in an Irish 1000 Guineas trial at Leopardstown meant I was always going to back her next time she ran and that horse is for the Kents - an Australian duo - KITTY ROSE. They have booked Oisin Murphy for the ride and he is in good form this week which is another positive.

Watching back her Leopardstown third, she travelled into that race looking like the smartest animal there and was just tapped for toe by the eventual winner who went on to run a screamer for second in the Irish 1000 Guineas. That is the best form on offer in here by a long way in my opinion and so she rates a strong each-way bet.

17:40 Ascot - King Edward VII Stakes

SPACE LEGEND should really be coming into this race hunting a hat-trick after a luckless second at Goodwood last time out in a Listed contest and I fancy William Haggas's charge will make amends on the big stage here.

The way he powered home when finally getting a gap at Goodwood stood out to me and while it will have been disappointing for those who backed him that day to lose out on the 15/8 favourite, it is hopefully aiding his price here. James Doyle takes over in the saddle and providing he gets his colt plenty of room to work in nice and early, he should be able to wind up and reel in the front runners.

It's a competitive race once again and Agenda along with Diego Velazquez lead a mean Irish challenge but I'm confident the Haggas horse has plenty more improving to do and the stiff finish at Ascot should really suit his galloping style.

18:15 Ascot - Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes

Wrapping up another feast of flat fun at Royal Ascot is yet another competitive handicap and on the back of a couple of devastating performances in his career, I'm amazed to see MUKAAFAH chalked up at the prices he is across the boards. He is not a consistent type, granted, but everything about this race should play to his strengths and if he matches what he did last time out at Doncaster when laughing at a handicap field, he must be in with a shot come the finish.

This was a very pleasing bounce back to form from the Kevin Philippart De Foy trained Blue Point colt and he has blatant pace to burn. HIs best performance yet was last season at Kempton on the AW, a track we know translates to Ascot well, when he bolted up and no rival saw which way he went. I'm really sweet on him and if Jim Crowley can get on the heels of those in high draws blazing a trail, will be disappointed if he is out of the first four home.